VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI in Paris and Lourdes (1) - “My pilgrimage to Lourdes has included a stop in Paris. I return with joy, glad to have this occasion to pay tribute to the impressive heritage of culture and faith that has shaped your country’s outstanding history, and has nurtured great servants of the Nation and the Church.”

Paris (Agenzia Fides) – Following his arrival at the Paris-Orly Airport at 11am on September 12, the Holy Father Benedict XVI traveled to the Apostolic Nunciature in Paris and then to the Elysée Palace, for a Welcoming Ceremony. After the Pope’s private discussion with the President of France, the official addresses were given.
“The principal reason for my visit,” the Holy Father said in his address, “is the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes. It is my desire to join the multitude of countless pilgrims from the whole world who during this year are converging on the Marian shrine, filled with faith and love... My pilgrimage to Lourdes has included a stop in Paris. Your capital city is familiar to me, and I know it rather well... return with joy, glad to have this occasion to pay tribute to the impressive heritage of culture and faith that has shaped your country’s outstanding history, and has nurtured great servants of the Nation and the Church... During your visit to Rome, Mr President, you called to mind that the roots of France – like those of Europe – are Christian. History itself offers sufficient proof of this: from its origins, your country received the Gospel message... The Church, established at an early stage in your country, played a civilizing role to which I am pleased to pay tribute on this occasion... The transmission of the culture of antiquity through monks, professors and copyists, the formation of hearts and spirits in love of the poor, the assistance given to the most deprived by the foundation of numerous religious congregations, the contribution of Christians to the establishment of the institutions of Gaul, and later France, all of this is too well known for me to dwell on it.”
Reflecting on the relations between Church and State, Benedict XVI recalled that “Christ had already offered the basic principle for a just solution to the problem of relations between the political sphere and the religious sphere when, in answer to a question, he said: ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’ (Mk 12:17). He then mentioned the fact that “The Church in France currently benefits from a ‘regime of freedom.’” The Pope quoted an expression used by the President of the country: “laïcité positive” (positive secularism), to indicate the “serene and positive” dialogue between Church and State in various fields, and he said: “At this moment in history when cultures continue to cross paths more frequently, I am firmly convinced that a new reflection on the true meaning and importance of laïcité is now necessary. In fact, it is fundamental, on the one hand, to insist on the distinction between the political realm and that of religion in order to preserve both the religious freedom of citizens and the responsibility of the State towards them; and, on the other hand, to become more aware of the irreplaceable role of religion for the formation of consciences and the contribution which it can bring to – among other things – the creation of a basic ethical consensus in society.”
The Pope “strives to be a sower of charity and hope,” Benedict XVI explained, as this is so needed in today’s world. He showed his special concern for the youth, who, “sometimes on the margins and often left to themselves, they are vulnerable and must come to terms on their own with a reality that often overwhelms them,” as well as his concern for the by a surreptitious widening of the distance between rich and poor in the Western world. “The Church, through her many institutions and works, together with many other associations in your country, often attempts to deal with immediate needs, but it is the State as such which must enact laws in order to eradicate unjust structures.” Reflecting on the planet, the Holy Father observed that “With great generosity, God has entrusted to us the world that he created. We must learn to respect and protect it more.”
The last subject addressed by the Holy Father concerned Europe. To France, who is currently exercising the role of Presidency in the European Union, the Pope asked them to bear witness – in accord with their tradition – “to human rights and to their promotion for the good of individuals and society.” Only when Europeans “see that these rights, which form an inseparable unity, are promoted and respected, then they will understand fully the greatness of the enterprise that is the European Union, and will become active artisans of the same.” In these uncertain times, and especially “as we face the danger of a resurgence of old suspicions, tensions, and conflicts among nations – which we are troubled to be witnessing today – France, which historically has been sensitive to reconciliation between peoples, is called to help Europe build up peace within her boarders and throughout the world. In this regard, it is important to promote a unity that neither can nor desires to become a uniformity, but rather is able to guarantee respect for national differences and different cultural traditions, which amount to an enrichment of the European symphony.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/9/2008)